Health NZ - Lakes

08/10/2026

Your garden should leave you with tomatoes, not pneumonia.

Protect yourself from Legionnaires' disease by wearing a mask when handling potting mix and compost. Dampen the mix before use, and wash your hands afterwards. 🌱

04/10/2026

⏰ Meningococcal disease can happen very fast, sometimes in just a few hours, and it can be very serious. One of the problems it can cause is meningitis, which is an infection of the protective layers around the brain and spinal cord. 🧠

In this video, Dr. Stacey, a Public Health Medicine Registrar, talks about the signs and symptoms to watch for and what to do if someone shows signs of meningococcal disease.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect against meningococcal disease, and some vaccines are free for certain age groups such as children under 5 or young people ages 13 to 25 years old in their first year of close-living situations like uni halls or boarding school.

Visit healthnz.govt.nz for more info or talk to your regular health provider.

28/09/2026

Spring is here, and so are the calves and lambs 🐄🐑 While these little animals are a sure sign of spring, calving and lambing season also brings an increased risk of bugs that can make people sick. More young animals mean more opportunities to cuddle and interact with them. Add in more animal poo, wet spring conditions, and you've got the perfect environment for germs to spread on farms.

To help keep yourself, your whānau, and especially tamariki safe this season:
✅ Keep tamariki away from calving and lambing sheds where possible.
✅ Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching animals or being on the farm.
✅ Remove and clean contaminated clothing and footwear before entering the house/whare.
✅ Avoid eating or drinking when around animals.
✅ If calves or lambs have scours (diarrhoea) please keep them away from lamb and calf days and avoid contact with tamariki.

Calves and lambs may be cute, but they can carry bugs that make people very sick particularly young children, hapū māmā, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. By taking a few simple precautions, we can all enjoy a safe and healthy spring season.

21/09/2026

Itchy skin that won't quit? It could be scabies. Watch this short video to learn about the signs, symptoms and treatment.

Scabies is usually treated with a cream that kills the scabies mite. Treatment is available from pharmacies without a prescription and may be subsidised for eligible people.

01/09/2026

Extra protection for our littlest: Free flu vaccines now available for under 5s

From today, all children aged 6 months up to their fifth birthday can get a free influenza (flu) vaccine.

This change comes as flu continues to cause high rates of illness and hospitalisations in young children this season, with children under five experiencing some of the highest rates of flu-related hospital care.

The flu season started later than usual and is expected to continue, so it's not too late to get vaccinated. The current flu vaccine is also a good match for the flu virus circulating most widely this year.

✅ Free for all children aged 6 months to under 5 years, pregnant women, and people aged 65+
✅ Helps protect against serious illness
✅ Helps protect your family and community.

The flu vaccine is also free for many people with certain medical conditions.

Book at bookmyvaccine.nz or contact your GP, pharmacy, Hauora Māori provider, Pacific health provider, or local immunisation clinic. Many providers also offer walk-in appointments.

30/08/2026

Flu just won't give up this winter! 🦠

And it's not too late to get protected. 🛡️

Immunisation can still help reduce your risk of serious illness as we head into spring. If you've already had one type of flu this season, vaccination may still be worthwhile, as it helps protect against multiple flu strains. It could help you avoid a second round!

Good news - your local pharmacy may be able to vaccinate you, often without an appointment. Many pharmacies offer convenient walk-in flu vaccination services and can help check whether you're up-to-date with other recommended vaccinations.

Have a chat with your local pharmacist today and find your nearest pharmacy on healthpoint.co.nz.

26/08/2026

The flu vaccine does more than help protect against flu.

Research shows it may also help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. If you haven't had your flu vaccination yet, it's not too late. 💙

Getting vaccinated is easy. Talk to your usual GP clinic, Hauora Māori or Pacific health provider, or local pharmacist. You can also book through bookmyvaccine.nz. Sorted!

24/08/2026

Last week marked a significant milestone with the opening of Te Whare Oranga Tangata o Whakaue, our new mental health wellbeing and recovery unit. The purpose-built facility replaces the previous 45-year-old unit, providing a modern environment better suited to supporting recovery and wellbeing.

The day began with the opening and blessing led by Dr Anaha Hiini, before guests gathered for a pōhiri and formal opening ceremony. Students from Rotorua Primary School made a valuable contribution to the event, helping to welcome guests and support the proceedings.

The ribbon was officially cut by peer mentor Gavin Pike, consumer advisor Wi Huata and Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora Group Director Operations Alan Wilson, marking the completion of a significant investment in mental health care for the region.

📸by Stephen Parker.

21/08/2026

It's now FREE to book a video appointment with a NZ qualified Online GP for children under 14. Book via healthnz.govt.nz/OnlineGP and check out this video explanation about Online GP from one of our wonderful Community Paediatric Clinical Nurse Specialists.

20/08/2026